For most games the difference in race is used as a end all segregator between people. I have been thinking a little bit lately about different ways to diversify the people in the games we play.

The thought struck me while visiting a temple and I noticed that nobody had any facial hair, obviously they could shave it, but there were no mustaches or beards whatsoever. Usually you would see a couple in the states no matter where you go.

What if a certain army or elite detail only allowed those that could grow a full beard. Those that were otherwise qualified but were not given the ability to grow a nice full beard (I personally can only grow a goatee and that only after months, even then it is a sparse embarrassing little thing) so they are not able to "protect the throne" or whatever. This would keep elves out, but allow most other races regardless.

How about height. While going through shrine entrances they have the large wooden overhang to denote it. A group could choice professions by their height or something, or they must be a certain height to qualify for a job. What if there were a series of arches starting at a large size and slowly decreased. To become a defender you would have to be tall enough to not be able to walk through the third arch. To be a personal defender you need to be tall enough to not fig under the second arch. Stuff like that.

These aren't the greatest ideas but just wondering if anybody else has some different ideas to make a more unique culture.

That's a very interesting concept. What would our games be like if races and cultures were distinguished by heighth or facial hair. Also, maybe intelligence could be a distinguishing factor. You would have a society of super-smart wimps, and another of dumb-as-dirt warriors (as that is what seems to happen in creatures.)

In Europe, there are 217 distinct recognized ethnic/ regional groups- between geographic, lingual, and religious variations and combinations there of. China, with its huge population and cultural homoginy has something like 60. The US is said to have 29 large groups, and 820 smaller ethnic/ cultural groups. (The numbers may be off some, but I remember them from a credible source). You tend to marry people in the same geographic area (duh), as well as the same religious and identified groups. This tends to create a variation between these people and those around them.

Think about it. can you recognize people for their ethnic or regional grouping by appearance or accent or other action? How many groups can you recognize?

Yet in your average fantasy games, with a continent larger than Europe, you might have one (all humans are one continuous cultural and social mass) or even three (one for each human society). Even if these societies are antagonistic, they seem much the same. The only variations you get are the non humans, who seem much like humans in alien suits. All the species are fairly the same, culturally speaking.

Most people can't seem to handle a realistic level of diversity, especially when they are making the game world. Most fiction does not do it, but then again... it does not need to, to tell its story in a limited geographic space and time. One of the few fantasy books that comes close is Jordan's Wheel of Time. Each region has its own meta-culture, or cultural themes, and each country has its own unique culture. the Northern cultures all have their distinctive knots and garb (from their ancient tribal herritages). The Southerners, far away from the dark lands, have become self absorbed and europeanesk. Mercedes Lacky's Valdemar tales have a great deal of cultural diversity implied, and occasionally seen. So we know it can be done, yet why don't people play it out?

You don't have to be an alien to be an alien. Take someone from 1300 Northern Europe and drop them in Japan or China of the time. A fur covered alien might be better received. Cultural and Lingual differences are enough to make people mutually un-understandable.

You don't have to be another species to be different. Think about the differences between the Nordic Countires, and Greece in terms of appearance of the population. North Africa in comparison to more southern regions. You can notice the differences.

There are game examples:

In Kerren, there is a little genetic diversity in the group. They all came from the same region of Terra. There are some regional appearances and ideals (Westerners, Southers, Pointers), but they are similar cultural and social groups, but there are regional differences in cuisine, accent, and dress (based on weather).

In my fantasy world, I have a group on Sixthland, the Lyrans. They are olive skinned, large almond shaped eyes, long of limb and digit, graceful, strong. There ships traverse seas humans can not cross. They have artifacts that Humans do not have. The Humans think they are a subtype of Elventi (there general superiority, nature affinity, and magikal technology), while the Elventi think they are Humanti (round ears, shorter than Elventi lifespan-but longer than Thirdland and Secondland humans, and they use technology). Many people on the world think they are a different race. They are an ethnic group of Humanti, blessed in terms of geography and history.

Do you see how difference can not be so different but make the people seem of a different species.

Obviously: singing or the voice itself. A lovely voice is more fit to speak to gods, so talented youths are often made priests or temple servants.

On the other hand, a deep and booming voice is a definite sign of being manly and strong, right? Another elite group, dwarwes welcome.

What about various rituals?

Where was it... ah, Flash Gordon! A conflict was resolved through pushing your arm into the nest of a deadly poisonous creature. If you are not hit (you survive), you win. This may be more of a ritual to accept new members.

OR you must endure and survive an almost deadly poison or disease to join. Secret cults may seek members that already passed the test this way, even unknowingly: for they are fated to blahblahblah...

You must be an extremely fast speaker!

Natives that wear pottery on their head instead of hats. Not too big of course, but even a small plate would look strange. The quality and price show the social standing, breaking it is a bad omen.

No patience for anything, cannot wait for more than a minute. Tradition speaks of using time effectively, in fact they are all madly hurrying somewhere. Imagine a whole town like that...

Already used a few times... hope not yet too many times. Is chosen through forming a bond to a special animal/creature.

Another classic: having some inborn special ability. Even simple sensing of magic is strange among the folk.

Obsessed with old age. Old people are higher in status, and young ones are often judged after their parent's age. "Don't waste your time with him, my daughter. He won't get older than 80, as his family looks."

Everyone carries numerous amulets against bad spirits etc.

For some mystical/religious reason, a long straight line means bad luck. Everything, from architecture to simple walking tries to break lines. Even the army's soldiers do not march in file or array.

Must wear a certain holy object with him at all times, in public display. Now fast, how many of you would not wear a miniature Lord Of The Rings all the time if they could?

Wear their hair in thousands of braidsDye their hair or skinMales elongate their arms by placing rings around them when young and slowly increasing the number of rings (Kinda' like that one tribe does with women's necks)People always have a dog. They worship these dogs like the Egyptians worshipped cats.Believe that angles are sacred and try to make almost everything angular.Believe that glass is cursed and break any glass they see.

What if a certain army or elite detail only allowed those that could grow a full beard. Those that were otherwise qualified but were not given the ability to grow a nice full beard (I personally can only grow a goatee and that only after months, even then it is a sparse embarrassing little thing) so they are not able to "protect the throne" or whatever.

Thinking of good old Saddam and his doubles, and something shown in some movies:

The guards (officers, ...) must at least vaguely resemble the boss. The uniform, the hair-cut, the moustache/beard and maybe even the general behaviour (gestures, phrases, etc), the big boss looks best, and that is reason enough to copy him.

Doesn't have to be a true requirement, but something the followers of a dictator do anyway. Well, you never know when he is in bad mood...